Using the following terms, explain how air enters the lungs: pharynx, trachea, bronchi, carina, bronchioles, alveoli:
Air enters through the nose or mouth into the pharynx. It process down through the trachea (also known as the windpipe), to the left and right bronchi. This split is known as the carina. This of the bronchi as the large branches of a tree and the bronchio
Using the following terms, explain how oxygen enters the bloodstream and how carbon dioxide leaves the body: Alveoli, capillaries, oxygen-rich blood, oxygen-poor blood, carbon dioxide.
Within the alveoli, oxygen-rich air inhaled through the lungs meets capillaries, where oxygen molecules are able to attach to red-blood cells and travel back to the heart. Carbon dioxide, within the oxygen-poor blood coming from the heart, is able to cros
Using the following terms, describe how we breathe: Inhalation, diaphragm, intercostal muscles, negative/positive pressure, exhalation.
During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts (moves downward) and the intercostal muscles contract (expands rib cage up and out). This causes the thoracic cavity to expand, creating a negative pressure, which results in air rushing in. During exhalation, th
Is exhalation an active or passive process?
passive process
What drive is responsible for breathing control? What is the backup system?
The Carbon Dioxide Drive is our body's primary mechanism for breathing control. Increased CO2 levels will stimulate the body to increase the respiratory rate. As a backup, the Hypoxic Drive will stimulate breathing when O2 levels are sensed.
What is the role of a surfactant within the lungs?
Think of surfactant as a lubricant in your lungs. Surfactant reduces surface tension inside of the alveoli. By doing this, gas exchange can take place because the presence of surfactant in the alveoli keeps them open.
What is the normal rate of breathing in: Adults
12 to 20 bpm
What is the normal rate of breathing in: Children
15 to 30 bpm
What is the normal rate of breathing in: Infants
15-50 bpm
What are the four causes of an airway obstruction
1) The tongue (most common)
2) Edema (swelling)
3) Fluid (vomitus, blood, mucous)
4) Foreign bodies (anything put into the mouth)
What does a pulse oximeter measure?
The pulse rate and the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin within arterial blood.
What are the 3 possible causes of getting an incorrect pulse ox. reading
1) Nail Polish
2) Cold extremities
3) Carbon monoxide poisoning
Tachypnea
rapid breathing
bradypnea
slow breathing
Wheezing
High-pitches whistling sound
Rales
Crackles; wet crackling noise in lungs
Stridor
High-pitches sound from an airway obstruction
Hypoxia
Inadequate oxygen delivery to the cells
visceral pleura
membrane that covers the surfaces of the lungs
parietal pleura
Membrane that lines the inside surface of the chest cavity
Describe the two methods of opening the airway of an unconscious patient.
When would you use one over the other:
The head tilt-chin lift is the preferred method to open an airway. It is performed by lifting the chin. However, if a cervical spine injury is suspected, the jaw-thrust maneuver can be used. It is performed by physically pushing the angle of the lower jaw
How do you correctly size an OPA and NPA prior to use
OPA - Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe
NPA - Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe
What are the steps to suctioning an adult patient
1: Prepare equipment
2: Test equipment
3: Insert suction catheter into oropharynx only as far as you can see.
4: Apply suction while withdrawing the catheter (suction on way out)
5: Suction for no more than 10-15 seconds
6: Rinse the suction catheter afte
Match the following oxygen cylinder sizes with their capacity: D, E, M.
1) 350-Liter 2) 625-Liter 3) 3,000-Liter
D = 350 L
E = 625 L
M = 3,000 L
These sizes will vary a bit by different manufacturer, but this is an accepted number. The way this works is if you're using a 15 L/min non-rebreather mask, you'd be able to use your D tank about 23 minutes before it ran dr
What is the purpose of a regulator on an oxygen bottle:
The pressure regulator on an oxygen bottle is responsible for taking the high pressure within the bottle down to a more manageable and controllable pressure. For example, for use with a nasal cannula
When a patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and is having trouble breathing what is going on in their body:
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow due to collapsed alveoli, mucous, or narrowed passages within the lungs. When they take a breath air is "trapped", preventing the patient from completing exhalation.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two common conditions that contribute to COPD. What is the difference between the two:
Chronic Bronchitis� Inflammation of the lining of the lining of the bronchial tubes.
Emphysema� Most often the cause of cigarette smoking, the alveoli at the end of the bronchioles are damaged.
Pneumonia is an infection within the lungs. What causes shortness of breathe (SOB) in a Patient with pneumonia and how is it different from emphysema:
Pneumonia is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection within the lungs. This produces an inflammatory response that causes fluid buildup in the alveoli, and prevents oxygen from efficiently diffusing to the blood. With emphysema, the alveoli ar
During an asthma attack, whats happening within the body
Caused by genetic or environmental factors (dust, pollen, cigarette smoke), bronchi and bronchioles become inflamed, causing bronchospasm and increased coughing, wheezing, and experiencing SOB.
What is a Pulmonary Embolism (PE), where does it most commonly originate from, and what are the signs and symptoms:
PE is a blockage of one or more pulmonary arteries from a blood clot or other obstruction. Most often, a sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, tachypnea (rapid breathing), and cough will be seen. Asking about the patient's history might reveal
What is the difference between internal and external respiration:
External respiration - is the process of ventilation� the movement of air into the lungs and out of the lungs. During this process, gas exchange takes place, where O2 from the lungs diffuses into the bloodstream, and CO2 from the bloodstream diffuses into
What is perfusion?
the process of transporting blood throughout the capillaries in the body.
How can a patients position indicate respiratory distress:
Patients in respiratory distress will likely change their position to allow for an easier work of breathing. One common position is the tripod position, in which the patient has their hands on their knees with their elbows out, leaning forward. Another co
What is referred to as an increases work of breathing? And what can it lead to if not corrected:
Increased work of breathing means that a patient is using an extra amount of energy to ventilate adequately. This can be seen as the use of accessory muscles, retractions or nasal flaring.
What is the equation for Minute Volume?
Minute Volume = Respiratory rate X Tidal Volume.
How are cheyne-stokes respirations categorized and what conditions can cause this breathing pattern?
Cheyne-Stokes respirations are categorized by progressively decreased respirations, and then followed by a period of apnea. This respiratory pattern can be a result of stroke, brain injury, CO poisoning, or a brain tumor.
You respond to the scene of a 55-year-old male who is unconscious. He is breathing deep and rapid, and has a blood sugar of 512. What type of respiratory pattern is this patient exhibiting and what is causing it?
The patients deep, rapid respirations are indicative of Kussmaul respirations, which is caused by Diabetic Ketoacidosis, or DKA.
What lung sounds would you likely hear from someone having an asthma attack? What causes this sound?
Wheezing - is the most common sound heard from someone having an asthma attack. Typically heard on expirations which occurs when the air is forced through small, inflamed airways causing them to vibrate.
why is stridor more common in children?
Stridor is more common in children because the diameter of their airway is smaller than adults, so conditions like anaphylaxis or infections will cause the airway to swell up enough to cause this airway sound. With adults, the airway remains large enough
What is cyanosis and how does it relate to the respiratory system?
Cyanosis - the bluish or purple coloration of the skin or mucous membranes. Cyanosis occurs when the blood in the body does not carry enough oxygen. This lack of oxygen in the blood can be due to an airway obstruction, lung disease, or hypoventilation/apn
Explain what Pulse Oximetry is:
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive device that measures the amount of oxygen that is bound to hemoglobin in the blood, also known as the oxygen saturation. It is used as a routine vital sign and works by a probe being attached to a finger that uses light to
How do Bronchodilators help respiratory patients? Give examples of one you would use in the field:
Bronchodilators are fast acting aerosol medications that dilate the bronchi and bronchioles which decreases resistance in the lower airway and increases airflow to the lungs. Albuterol is a commonly used bronchodilator which is administered through a nebu